Chrysanthemum plant named `Caribbean Isle`

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred to by the cultivar name Caribbean Isle.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

Caribbean Isle originated from a cross made by Peter S. Hesse in acontrolled breeding program at Clearwater Nursery, 887 Mesa Rd., Nipomo,Calif. 98444, USA.

The female parent of Caribbean Isle was the commercial variety Splendor(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,225) and the male parent was Hopscotch (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 5,816). Caribbean Isle was discovered and selected as oneflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Peter S. Hessein November 1989, in a controlled environment in Nipomo, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Caribbean Isle was accomplishedin January 1990, when vegetative cuttings were taken in a controlledenvironment at Clearwater Nursery, Nipomo, Calif., by Peter S. Hesse.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Caribbean Isle are firmly fixed and are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Caribbean Isle has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in theenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in controlled environments at Clearwater Nursery, Nipomo, Calif.Unrooted cuttings were directly stuck into 6.5 inch pots and grown in acontrolled environment under the natural temperature and day lengthprevailing in January 1990 to March 1990.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Caribbean Isle which, in combination,distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Flat Captiulum Form.

2. Daisy Capitulum Type.

3. Pink/Lavender fully expanded outer ray florets.

4. Yellow Daisy disc with green eye.

5. A diameter of 13.5 cm across the face of the capitulum.

6. Exceptional upright to spreading habit with an average of 4.0 breaksafter a single pinch.

7. Flowering response is approximately 58 days from the start of shortdays.

8. Relatively easy to control plant height from bench such that thefinished height will range from 40 to 45 centimeters depending on potsize and market requirements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows typical infloresence and leafcharacteristics of Caribbean Isle with the colors being as nearly trueas possible with illustrations of this type. The photograph showsCaribbean Isle grown as a pinched spray pot mum with five (5 ) cuttingsin a 6.5 inch pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Caribbean Isle are the cultivars Splendor and Hopscotch.Reference is made to Table I which compares certain characteristics ofCaribbean Isle to the same characteristics of the above mentionedcultivars. The botanical information set forth for each cultivar belowwas observed from the cultivars when grown in a side-by-siderelationship under controlled conditions in Nipomo, Calif. All colorreferences and designations set forth in Table I and throughout thespecification are from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) ColourChart.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        CHARAC-     HOP-      CARIBBEAN                                               TERISTIC    SCOTCH    ISLE        SPLENDOR                                    ______________________________________                                        CAPITULUM   Flat      Flat        Flat                                        FORMS                                                                         CAPITULUM   Daisy     Daisy       Daisy                                       TYPE                                                                          DIAMETER                                                                      ACROSS      7.5 cm    13.5 cm     12.2 cm                                     FACE                                                                          BRANCHING   Upright   Upright     Upright                                     PATTERN     Spreading Spreading   Spreading                                   BREAKS/PINCH                                                                              4.4       4.0         4.0                                         HEIGHT IN 6.5"                                                                            40-45 cm  40-45 cm    40-45 cm                                    POT WITH 1-2                                                                  APPLICATIONS                                                                  B-NINE ™                                                                   RESPONSE:   8.5 weeks 8.5 weeks   9.0 weeks                                   TREATMENT   medium    medium      medium                                                  vigorous  vigorous    vigorous                                                grower    grower      grower                                      DISC FLORETS                                                                  DISC FLORET Yellow    Yellow      Yellow                                      COLOR                                                                         NO. OF DISC 183.2     189.6       133.8                                       FLORETS                                                                       LENGTH OF   0.6 cm    0.6 cm      0.6 cm                                      DISC FLORETS                                                                  RAY FLORETS                                                                   COLOR                                                                         FRONT: fully                                                                              9A        65A and 11D 75A                                         expanded    Yellow    Pink/Lavendar                                                                             Purple                                                            Yellow                                                  FRONT: unfolded                                                                           9A        65A and 11D 75A                                         ray florets Yellow    Pink/Lavendar                                                                             Purple                                                            Yellow                                                  BACK: fully 6A        65D         75D                                         expanded                                                                      outer ray floret                                                                          Yellow    Pink/Lavendar                                                                             Purple                                      NUMBER      32.6      52.0        52.3                                        SHAPE       Elliptic  Elliptic    Elliptic                                    LENGTH      3.85 cm   6.0 cm      5.2 cm                                      WIDTH       1.43 cm   1.8 cm      1.5 cm                                      TOTAL NUMBER                                                                              6.7       12.8        10.4                                        OF FLOWERS/                                                                   BREAK                                                                         LEAF                                                                          COLOR:      Front:    Front: 139A Front: 139A                                             147A      Back: 138A  Back: 138A                                              Back: 147B                                                        MATURE LEAF Up to 10.2                                                                              Up to 9.8 cm                                                                              Up to 8.4 cm                                LENGTH:     cm                                                                MATURE LEAF 5.95 cm   4.9 cm      4.5 cm                                      WIDTH:                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Similar traits of the three cultivars include the large flat, daisycapitulum. The diameter of the capitulum of Caribbean Isle tends to belarger than the capitulum of Splendor. Both Splendor and Caribbean Isletend to have larger diameter capitulums than Hopscotch. All threecultivars have similar upright, spreading branching patterns and asimilar number of breaks per pinch per plant. The finished plant heightand the color of the disc florets is also similar for the threecultivars. Caribbean Isle and Hopscotch have similar numbers of discflorets. Both cultivars have more disc florets than Splendor. The lengthof the disc florets is similar for all three cultivars. The front rayfloret color of Caribbean Isle is a blend of pink/lavendar 65A andyellow 11D, for Hopscotch yellow 9A, and for Splendor purple 75A. Theback ray floret color of Caribbean Isle is pink/lavendar 65D, forHopscotch yellow 6A, and for Splendor is purple 75D. Splendor andCaribbean Isle have a similar number of ray florets, but more thanHopscotch. The ray florets of all three cultivars are elliptic.Caribbean Isle has ray florets that are longer than those of Splendor.Hopscotch has darker leaves than either of the other cultivars.Hopscotch has the longest mature leaf length followed by Caribbean Isle,with Splendor having the shortest leaf. The three cultivars have similarleaf width. The response time from the start of short days is the samefor Hopscotch and Caribbean Isle at 8.5 weeks. Response time is slightlyhigher for Splendor, 9.0 weeks.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora. Cultivar name: Caribbean Isle.

Commercial.--Flat daisy to be grown primarily as a Spray/CBR (center budremoved) or Disbud pot mum.

Inflorescence:

Capitulum.--Form: Flat. Type: Daisy. Diameter across face: average of13.5 cm measured as a disbud.

Ray florets.--Color: Pink (general tonality within a distance of three(3) meters). Front: Fully expanded ray floret 65A & 11D. Front: Unfoldedray florets in center of flower 65A & 11D. Back: Fully expanded outerray floret 65D. Shape: Elliptic.

Corolla of disc florets.--Color: Edge begins with 14A to Center Green141C.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in disc floret; pollen: scant.

Gynoecium.--Present in both ray and disc floret.

General appearance:

Height.--When grown in a 6.5 inch pot with 1-4 applications of B-NINE™at the rate of 2500 ppm, the total plant height from the bottom of thepot may be maintained at 16-18 inches. Branching Pattern: Upright andspreading with an average of 4.0 breaks when grown with one pinch.

Foliage.--Color: (upper surface) 139A. Color: (lower surface) 138A.Shape: (see photograph).

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant namedCaribbean Isle substantially as herein described and shown,characterized by its pink/lavendar floret coloration and excellentupright spreading habit.